Stakeholders Back New Tax Law, Demand Transparency

Some civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have endorsed the new tax laws and called for transparency, accountability and effective implementation to ensure they support national development and benefit Nigerians, especially low-income and vulnerable groups.

The endorsement was made at the National Retreat on New Tax Law Development, organised by the Civil Society Coalition on Human and Economic Interests (CSCHEI), and attended by representatives of 200 accredited CSOs and community-based organisations (CBOs) across the country in Abuja.

At the retreat, the director-general of CSCHEI, Kunle Yusuff, said taxation remains critical to Nigeria’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, stressing that the new tax law presents both opportunities and challenges that require sustained civic engagement.

Yusuff said effective taxation would enhance domestic resource mobilisation, support inclusive growth and improve the welfare of Nigerians, adding that civil society groups were committed to ensuring the new law is implemented in a manner that promotes fairness and accountability.

According to him, CSOs will advocate a tax regime that supports Nigeria’s development aspirations, accelerates progress on the SDGs and ensures that citizens understand how tax revenues are utilised.

At the end of the retreat, participants resolved to support the new tax law, acknowledging its potential to promote development and serve the masses.

They, however, urged the authorities to provide clear implementation guidelines and maintain transparency in tax administration.

In their resolutions, the CSOs called for continuous engagement with civil society and other stakeholders to address concerns arising from the law, while emphasising the need to strengthen tax education and public awareness to promote compliance.

The groups also demanded accountability in the management of tax revenues, insisting that funds generated through taxation be channelled to programmes and projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, including healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security.

The CSOs further committed themselves to promoting transparency and equity in the tax system, advocating policies that protect low-income households and vulnerable populations.

They also pledged to support tax education through workshops, media campaigns and community outreach, while engaging in policy dialogue with government agencies, the private sector and international partners.

As part of efforts to curb financial misconduct, the organisations urged closer collaboration between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Federal Inland Revenue Service), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to combat tax crimes and promote compliance.

They also announced plans to establish an adequate monitoring mechanism to track the implementation and impact of the new tax law nationwide.

The CSOs expressed confidence that the retreat would strengthen collaboration, build consensus and position civil society as a key driver in ensuring that the new tax law delivers sustainable development and improved living standards for Nigerians